In their contentious Netflix-backed fight on Friday in Miami, former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua defeated YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
The gap in physical size and class between Britain’s two-time world champions Joshua and Paul, an internet personality who has forged a lucrative career through a few novelty boxing contests, had sparked outrage in boxing following the fight at the Kaseya Center, where both men reportedly split a $ 184 million purse.
However, Joshua persevered in the end to defeat his much less skilled opponent before his superior size and power eventually paid off with a sixth-round knockout in the closing stages of the eight-round fight.
Paul repeatedly dropped the canvas and grappled at Joshua’s legs, which occasionally turned into farce.
Even referee Christopher Young once appeared to be giving up on the fight, telling the fighters in the fourth round, “The fans did not pay to see this crap.”
The 6 ft 6 in (1. 98 m) tall Joshua started pounding more frequently as Paul grew tired, and after knocking down the 6 ft 1 in American twice in the fifth round, the victory was swift in the sixth round.
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After teeing up Paul with a crunching left, Joshua backed the 28-year-old into a corner and delivered the decisive blow with a right to the chin that sent his opponent flying to the canvas.
Afterward, Joshua, 36, admitted, “It wasn’t the best performance.” However, Jake Paul was ultimately meant to be harmed, pin him down, and hurt.
That was the question that came to mind, I thought. The right hand eventually arrived at its destination after a little longer than expected.
Praise God for Paul
Paul was praised for staying put into the later rounds by Joshua, who was also critical of him.
Joshua said, “I want to give him my props; he got up again and again,” He had a difficult time finding a way there, but he kept trying. A real man is required to accomplish that.
While Paul was pleased with his performance, Paul claimed that he believed his jaw had been broken despite having a bloody mouth from Joshua’s final assault.
That was enjoyable. “Paul said, “I gave it my all.” I had a blast. By the way, I believe my jaw is broken. However, Anthony is one of the best at it. I’m going to win a world championship when I return.
I just grew weary, to be honest, because it was putting so much pressure on him. I believe I could have maintained it and continued to fight with better cardio. But he really hits hard.
Later, the American confirmed that he had a “double broken jaw,” as described in a post on social media and accompanied by a photo of a radiograph.
The made-for-streaming fight on Friday, which took place just over a year after Paul had previously fought a 58-year-old Mike Tyson in a much-debated Netflix fight, had been widely dissented throughout boxing, with many warnings that Paul was likely to suffer a serious injury.
However, Paul struggled to stay within Joshua’s bounds as he battled to avoid the devastating first or second round knockout that most had anticipated failed.
Joshua always appeared to be the more dangerous fighter, landing 48 of the 146 punches thrown, compared to Paul’s meager total of 16 landed. This is Joshua’s first fight for 15 months.
The Briton will now be looking forward to a money-making fight with compatriot Tyson Fury, who was formerly the world champion, next year.
“We wiped away the cobwebs,” Joshua said, “and I can’t wait to start 2026.” Let’s put on some gloves and fight if Tyson Fury is as serious as he thinks he is.
Source: Channels TV
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